Job satisfaction among officers of a central police organization: a study of RPF group A officers

Abstract

This study aims to measure the job satisfaction levels of Group A officers of Railway Protection Force, a central police organization. The exercise is done with the intention of understanding those job facets that cause apparent satisfaction or dissatisfaction among the officers. The conception of this study is relevant and timely, as it involves probing into the psychological moorings of group of leaders who are public servants responsible for management of security over one of the largest railways in the world and command a large central police organization. The officers of RPF are part of the mammoth Indian bureaucracy and face similar organizational contexts as their counterparts in other government departments. However, the officers of a police organization also belong to a distinctive force culture with its own set of norms and values. The scope of this study is to have a first look at the attitudinal reactions of RPF officers towards their job and estimate the level of job satisfaction they perceive. An extensive literature review examines the various theoretical frameworks and determinants of job satisfaction as also the impact of demographic variables like age, work experience, rank and educational qualifications on job satisfaction. Several hypotheses were framed on the basis of the literature review and tested. The study was based on responses to Paul Spector s Job Satisfaction Survey, administered to all RPF officers. The picture that emerges from the findings is that there is widespread job dissatisfaction among RPF officers. They are quite clearly dissatisfied with lack of promotional avenues, contingent rewards and pay package, in that order. The only areas where they have crossed the threshold of minimum satisfaction are Nature of Work, Supervision and Co-workers, but here also the mean scores indicate only slight satisfaction. The study ends with policy implications and suggestions to improve the service conditions of RPF officers by way of better promotional avenues and statutory changes in the responsibilities of the force.